LANDMARK SITE

“Architecture is the thoughtful making of spaces. It is the creating of spaces that evoke a feeling of appropriate use.”

– Louis Kahn, Architect

Our church building is widely recognized as one of the most architecturally significant structures in the Rochester area. Designed by Louis Kahn, it is regularly visited and studied by architects, students, and tourists from around the world. In 2014, the church was added to the list of U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It has been described as one of “the most significant works of religious architecture of the [20th] century” and as “the only building of international significance” in Monroe County. It is regularly visited by architects and students from all over the world.

The extensive garden areas that surround the First Unitarian Church were developed over the past thirty years largely through the efforts of the late Madlyn Evans. Volunteer gardeners provide the majority of the care of the gardens.

Church member and historian Bill Fugate created this slideshow which tells the story with images of the construction and architecture of our building.

Tours

SELF-GUIDED TOUR

Individual and group tours are available by appointment Monday through Friday by emailing the office at [email protected].

Saturday tours are available for groups of 10 or more by special arrangement.

Sunday tours are not available.

Please enjoy our Self-Guided Tour sheet as you listen to the audio files (below), which correspond to each section on the tour sheet.

For best results with the audio files, you will need to download a free version of Dropbox, if you don’t already have it.

Welcome message

  1. Background
  2. Overview of the Interior
  3. Lobby
  4. Sanctuary
  5. Sanctuary: Silence and Light
  6. Sanctuary: Furnishings
  7. Sanctuary: Light Towers
  8. Sanctuary: Sermon in Stone
  9. Susan B. Anthony Lounge
  10. Kitchen
  11. Room 110
  12. Rooms 115-128
  13. Williams Gallery
  14. Youth Room
  15. Gilbert Hall
  16. Choir Room
  17. Room 211/212
  18. Rooms 200 and 215-228
  19. Exterior
  20. Influenced by a Scottish Castle

NOTE: Our church building remains closed at this time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are not currently able to offer tours of the church building. You are welcome to visit and enjoy our Church gardens and grounds in keeping with social distancing and the use of masks.

SELF-GUIDED TOUR

Please enjoy our Self-Guided Tour sheet as you listen to the audio files (below), which correspond to each section on the tour sheet.

For best results with the audio files, you will need to download a free version of Dropbox, if you don’t already have it.

Welcome message

  1. Background
  2. Overview of the Interior
  3. Lobby
  4. Sanctuary
  5. Sanctuary: Silence and Light
  6. Sanctuary: Furnishings
  7. Sanctuary: Light Towers
  8. Sanctuary: Sermon in Stone
  9. Susan B. Anthony Lounge
  10. Kitchen
  11. Room 110
  12. Rooms 115-128
  13. Williams Gallery
  14. Youth Room
  15. Gilbert Hall
  16. Choir Room
  17. Room 211/212
  18. Rooms 200 and 215-228
  19. Exterior
  20. Influenced by a Scottish Castle

For more information, please email [email protected]